Personal Vehicle Wheel Mount and Kit and Methods and Uses Thereof

ABSTRACT

The present specification discloses wheel mounts for personal vehicles, such as skateboards and scooters. Wheel mount embodiments disclosed herein provide for the interchangeable mounting of wheels having differently shaped wheel cores. The present invention allows users to forego the previous limitation of having a specific wheel mount that only provides for the mounting a specific wheel having one specific wheel core geometry. Embodiments can be utilized on motorized personal vehicles, such as motorized skateboards and scooters that utilize various motors, such as direct drive or belt drive motors.

This application is a continuation that claims the benefit of priorityand is entitled to the filing date pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 120 of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/668,216, filed Oct. 30, 2019, the contentof which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to skateboards and similarpersonal vehicles and more specifically relates to wheel mounts andwheel mount kits for same.

BACKGROUND

Over the past several years, motorized personal vehicles have becomequite ubiquitous. Exemplary motorized personal vehicles includebicycles, scooters and skateboards. In particular, skateboards havegained tremendous popularity, not only as recreational vehicles but alsoas genuine modes of commuter transportation. More recently, electricmotorized skateboards have become popular. Such skateboards aretypically powered by a DC battery powered motor mounted to the undersideof a skateboard deck. An output shaft is mechanically linked to aselected one or both of the rear pair of wheels. Control of the motor isprovided by a handheld input device that is configured to generate aninput for forward and, in some examples, a reverse acceleration signalfor transmission to an on-board controller through a wired or wirelessconnection. The handheld input device may include a trigger-likeactuator that may be used for generating the input acceleration signalthat results in the energizing of the electric motor for desired forwardor rearward movement of the skateboard. Discussions relating toexemplary motorized personal vehicles can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos.8,061,725; 9,004,213; 9,387,388; 9,950,244; and 10,245,936, all of whichare herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

One aspect of these personal vehicles that greatly affects the qualityor enjoyment of a user's ride are the wheels. Various wheelcharacteristics, such as wheel size and hardness, play an important partof the “feel” of the ride experienced by a user, not to mention thatparticular surfaces upon which the wheels roll lend themselves toparticular wheel types and sizes. The wheels of a skateboard arecommonly made of polyurethane and come in many different sizes andshapes to suit different styles of skating. Larger diameter wheels (55mm to 85 mm or 2.17 inches to 3.35 inches) roll faster and move moreeasily over cracks in pavement and are better for transitionskateboarding. Smaller diameter wheels (48 mm to 54 mm or 1.89 inches to2.13 inches) keep the board closer to the ground, require less force toaccelerate and produce a lower center of gravity which allows for abetter response time, but also make for a slower top speed. Wheels alsoare available in a variety of hardnesses usually measured on the Shoredurometer “A” scale. Wheels range from the very soft (about Shore A 75)to the very hard (about Shore A 101). As the A scale stops at 100, anywheels labeled 101A or higher are harder, but do not use the appropriatedurometer scale. Some wheel manufacturers now use the “B” or “D” scales,which have a larger and more accurate range of hardness. Modern streetskaters typically prefer medium-sized wheels (usually 51 mm to 54 mm or2.01 inches to 2.13 inches), as small wheels with lighter trucks (thefront and rear axle assemblies that connect the wheels to the deck andprovide the turning capabilities for the board) can make tricks likekickflips and other flip tricks easier by keeping the center of gravityof the skateboard closer to the deck, thus making the deck easier tospin. Street wheels are harder (A 100/A 101). Vertical ramp or “vert”skating requires larger wheels (usually 55 mm to 65 mm or 2.17 inches to2.56 inches), as it involves higher speeds. Vert wheels are also usuallyslightly softer (A 98/A 99), allowing them to maintain high speed onramps without sliding. Slalom skating requires even larger wheels (60 mmto 75 mm or 2.36 inches to 2.95 inches) to sustain the highest speedspossible. They also need to be soft and have better grip to make thetight and frequent turns in slalom racing. Even larger wheels may beused in longboarding and downhill skateboarding. Modern wheel sizesgenerally range from 60 mm to 100 mm (2.36 inches to 3.94 inches). Theseextreme sizes of wheels almost always have wheel cores of hard plasticthat can be made thinner and lighter than a solid polyurethane wheel.

Motorized personal vehicles, such as motorized skateboards and scooters,can utilize a wheel mount onto which a wheel, having a desired shape,size and hardness, is mounted. Wheels consists of two parts: the wheelcore and the pour. The name “pour” comes from the manufacturing processused to make that portion of the wheel that contacts the ground. Variousmanufacturers provide wheels having not only different shapes and sizes,but also have different wheel cores having different configurations,sizes and apertures/openings into which lugs of a wheel mount fit tothereby mount the wheels. Various manufacturers make proprietary wheelshaving various proprietary wheel core contours or configurations. Forexample, a wheel core may have a plurality of circular apertures ornon-circular apertures or apertures with ribs, or any other type ofconfiguration into which lugs of a wheel mount fit into. Accordingly,lugs on wheel mounts for use with such wheel cores are limited to beingspecifically and complementarily sized and shaped so as to fit into onespecific wheel core. In order for a user to utilize different wheelshaving different wheel core configurations, it is required that the userhave a specific wheel mount for each type of wheel. That is, to changebetween wheels having different wheel core configurations requires thata user utilize a different wheel mount having lugs that are shaped andare specific to the particular lug aperture/contours of a particularwheel core.

Therefore, there is a need for a wheel mount for a personal vehicle thatis not limited for use with one a specific wheel core having a specificwheel core configuration, but rather can be utilized with wheels havingdifferent wheel core configurations. There is a further need for a wheelmount for a personal vehicle having lugs shaped to provide for themounting and use of various wheels irrespective of their wheel coreapertures to thus obviate the need and limitation of utilizingwheel-specific wheel mounts.

Various aspects of the personal vehicle wheel mount disclosed hereinaddresses these needs. In particular examples, the wheel mounts are fora skateboard or scooter, and more particularly for a motorizedskateboard or scooter, as discussed below.

SUMMARY

In one aspect a wheel mount, such as a skateboard wheel mount, isprovided that has a base and a plurality of first lugs projecting fromthe base and having a first shape. In addition, a plurality of secondlugs projecting from the base is provided, having a second shapedifferent from the first shape, where the plurality of first lugs andplurality of second lugs are arranged to enable interchangeable mountingof a first wheel having a first wheel core, and a second wheel having asecond wheel core different from the first wheel core.

In another aspect, the present disclosure describes a wheel mount foruse with wheels for a personal vehicle, for example a skateboard or ascooter. In some embodiments, the wheel mount is for use with wheels fora motorized skateboard. In particular embodiments, the wheel mountdisclosed herein includes a belt engagement portion for use with a beltof a belt drive motor. In still other embodiments, the wheel mount ofthe present disclosure has a direct drive engagement portion for fittingdirectly into a motor engagement portion.

In one embodiment, the first shape of first lugs projecting from thebase has two planar surfaces and a first arcuate surface having a firstarc length. In another aspect, the first shape has a first arcuatesurface having a first arc length, and the second shape has a secondarcuate surface having a second arc length, the first arc length beinglonger than the second arc length.

In still another aspect a wheel mount, such as a skateboard wheel mountaccording to the present disclosure, further comprises a first lug groupthat includes at least one lug of the plurality of first lugs and atleast one lug of the plurality of second lugs, and a second lug groupincludes least one lug of the plurality of first lugs and at least onelug of the plurality of second lugs. The base can be provided with anaxle aperture and where the first lug group and the second lug group aredisposed adjacent the axle aperture. In particular embodiments, thefirst lug group and the second lug group are mirroredly disposed aboutthe axle aperture. As one example, the first lug group and the secondlug group are disposed along an annular region of the base.

In another exemplary embodiment, a skateboard wheel mount hereindisclosed can have a first lug group that includes two of the first lugsand two of the second lugs, the first lugs and second lugs havingdifferent shapes. In yet even further embodiments, two of the secondlugs are disposed between two of the first lugs within a lug group.

In yet another embodiment, a skateboard wheel mount is providedincluding a base having a belt engagement surface and an axle aperturethrough the base. The skateboard wheel mount further includes aplurality of first lugs depending from the base and having a first shapeand a plurality of second lugs depending from the base and having asecond shape different from the first shape. Here, the plurality offirst lugs and plurality of second lugs are arranged to enableinterchangeable mounting of a first wheel having a first wheel core, anda second wheel having a second wheel core different from the first wheelcore. In particular embodiments the first shape has two planar surfacesand a first arcuate surface having a first arc length, and the secondshape has two planar surfaces and a second arcuate surface having asecond arc length, wherein the first arc length is different from thesecond arc length. In still yet another aspect, the skateboard wheelmount can further comprise a first lug group that includes at least onelug of the plurality of first lugs and at least one lug of the pluralityof second lugs, and a second lug group includes least one lug of theplurality of first lugs and at least one lug of the plurality of secondlugs.

In one exemplary configuration of lug groups provided in accordance withthe teachings of the present disclosure, a first lug group and a secondlug group are provided spaced apart from each other by about 72 degreesalong the annular region. In another exemplary embodiment and inaccordance with the present disclosure, the individual lugs within thefirst lug group are spaced apart from one another by about 36 degreesalong the annular region. In additional embodiments individual lugswithin the second lug group are also spaced apart from one another byabout 36 degrees along the annular region are also provided. In yetanother aspect, embodiments whereby the first lug group and the secondlug group are spaced apart from each other by about 72 degrees along theannular region are also herein disclosed. Various embodiments of thewheel mount herein disclosed, such as a skateboard wheel mount, canfurther include a belt engagement surface that is a toothed surface(that is, having teeth).

In still yet a further aspect, a skateboard conversion kit is hereinprovided that includes skateboard wheel mount that has a base, a beltengagement surface, a plurality of first lugs projecting from the baseand having a first shape and a plurality of second lugs projecting fromthe base and having a second shape different from the first shape andwhere the plurality of first lugs and plurality of second lugs arearranged to enable interchangeable mounting of wheels having differentwheel core configurations. As one example, lugs of the wheel mount asdisclosed herein enable mounting of wheels having wheel cores differingin number and/or shapes of wheel core apertures to the same wheel mount.The kit can include a belt for engagement with the belt engagementsurface; and optionally, further include at least one of a wheelbearing, a motor cover and motor pulley.

Wheel mounts made in accordance to the teachings of the presentdisclosure can be made from any suitable material, such as a metal, apolymer, a ceramic and a composite.

Skateboard wheel mounts provided in accordance with the teachings of thepresent disclosure can have lugs arranged and configured to engage afirst wheel core having circular apertures in addition to differentwheels core, such as wheel cores having non-circular apertures, and/orapertures that are non-circular and having at least one rib. Exemplarywheel cores can have ten circular apertures. In particular embodiments,the skateboard wheel mount can be provided with first lugs that arearranged and configured to engage at least four of the ten circularapertures, while in particular embodiments more lugs may be provided.Specific embodiments are disclosed herein that provide for engagementwith eight out of ten circular apertures as well as with non-circularones of different wheel cores.

Embodiments of a skateboard wheel mount can include a base and a beltengagement surface. An exemplary belt engagement surface can be atoothed surface for engagement with a belt of a belt drive having itselfa corresponding toothed surface. In specific embodiments, the skateboardwheel mount herein provided can have a toothed surface that has 56teeth, 63 teeth, 68 teeth, 70 teeth or 75 teeth, for example.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description when takenin conjunction with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and further advantages of this disclosure may be betterunderstood by referring to the following description in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate likestructural elements and features in various figures. The drawings arenot necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed uponillustrating the principles herein described and provided by exemplaryembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a rear portion of a motorized skateboardassembly, including two alternative skateboard wheel types, and anexemplary embodiment of a skateboard wheel mount in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the skateboard assembly of FIG. 1, shownin an assembled condition;

FIG. 3A shows a cross-sectional view of one of the two alternativeskateboard wheels as engaged to the exemplary wheel mount, as takenalong lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional view of the other of the two alternativeskateboard wheels as engaged to the exemplary wheel mount, as takenalong lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the wheel mount shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the wheel mount shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a left view of the wheel mount shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a right view of the wheel mount shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the wheel mount shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the wheel mount shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the wheel mount shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the wheel mount shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 an exploded view of a rear portion of another type of motorizedskateboard assembly, including two alternative skateboard wheel types,and another exemplary embodiment of a skateboard wheel mount inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the skateboard assembly of FIG. 12,shown in an assembled condition; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the exemplary wheel mount shown in FIG.12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides a personal vehicle wheel mount that, byits disclosed features, is compatible for use with different wheelshaving wheel cores that are different from each other. Moreparticularly, the personal vehicle wheel mount disclosed herein has lugsof differing shapes that provide the inventive personal vehicle wheelmount with compatibility across multiple wheel coretypes/configurations, as discussed utilizing the non-limiting examplesbelow.

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of the concepts and teachings ofthe instant disclosure and is not meant to be limiting. Exemplarypersonal vehicle wheel mount configurations, geometries and associatedmethods of use and exemplary methods/steps of manufacturing, as wellkits that include one or more personal vehicle wheel mounts provided inaccordance with the teachings of the present disclosure are hereindisclosed. Thus, the invention is not limited to only such exemplaryteachings and/or configurations. Particular embodiments of the personalvehicle wheel mount herein disclosed may be utilized with belt-drivemotors and thus may be referred to as a type of wheel pulley, as wheelmounts used with belts in the motorized skateboarding art are typicallycalled. Wheel mounts that do not utilize a belt and are directly mountedto a motor are typically called wheel core adapters in the motorizedskateboarding art. It is further understood that the use of relationalterms such as first, second, distal, proximal, and the like are usedsolely to distinguish one from another entity without necessarilyrequiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between suchentities.

Referring more specially to the appended drawings, for illustrativepurposes embodiments of the personal vehicle wheel mount 10, useful inpersonal vehicles, are more completely set forth in FIGS. 1-14.

Now turning to FIG. 1, there is shown an exploded view of a rear portionof a motorized skateboard assembly, including a hanger 2, twoalternative skateboard wheel types having different wheel cores 25 a and25 b with differently configured apertures. In the art, wheels with awheel core having non-circular apertures, as depicted by wheel core 25a, are generally referred to as “ABEC” wheels (ABEC 11 of HuntingtonBeach, California). Such wheels can come in a variety of sizes such as66 mm, 83 mm, 107 mm and others and can vary in hardness. In the art,wheels with a wheel core having circular apertures, as depicted by wheelcore 25 b, are generally referred to as “Kegel” wheels (OrangatangWheels of Culver City, Calif.). Exemplary “Kegel” wheels for longboardscan have diameters of 80 mm, widths of 56 mm and a contact patch of 56mm and vary in hardness (for example, 77 a, 80 a or 83 a) and have coresmade of high-strength, high-stiffness and heat-resistant urethane. Theyare typically provided with a plurality of circular apertures, typicallyten.

FIG. 1 further shows an exemplary embodiment of a personal vehicle wheelmount, here shown as a skateboard wheel mount 10 in accordance with thepresent disclosure. In this view, several components are shown that canbe included in a conversion kit that is provided in accordance with theteachings of the present disclosure. Additional parts of the assemblyinclude an axle nut 4 for securing a wheel 9 and skateboard wheel mount10 to axle 8. Axle 8 can have a threaded end portion as shown in FIG. 1.A typical axle nut 4 size can be about 13 mm or 0.5 inches, although nutsize can be different to comport with the size of the axle that it isthreaded onto. Axle nut 4 can be a lock nut, such as a nylon lock nut,for example, that resists loosening under vibrations and torque. Suchelastic stop nuts are of a particular type where some portion of the nutdeforms elastically to provide a locking action. Further components ofthe assembly can include a bearing 11 that sits within skateboard wheelmount 10. While a single bearing 11 is shown in FIG. 1, two bearings maybe provided in particular configurations. Such use of multiple bearingsmay result in foregoing the use of spacer 19, typically provided fromthe factory on electric motorized skateboards. A bearing spacer 17(washer) is also shown that abuts shoulder 15.

As this exemplary motorized skateboard 14 has a motor 12 that utilizes abelt drive, a motor pulley 60 is utilized as shown. Motor pulley 60 canhave a toothed surface for engaging belt 40. Exemplary belt 40 has aninner belt surface 42 that is toothed in order to engage with motorpulley 60 and a belt engagement portion 26 of skateboard wheel mount 10,as discussed further below. In addition, motor cover 13 is also shown.Motor cover 13 may be provided in a kit in accordance with the teachingsof the instance disclosure, where motor cover 13 provided in the kit issmaller than a factory provided motor cover, as wheels mounted utilizingthe exemplary skateboard wheel mount 10 may be bigger than factorywheels and as such the factory provided motor cover would no longer fit,being in the way of wheel 9 surface. Methods for mounting a replacementmotor cover 13 as provided in a disclosed kit in accordance with oneaspect of the instant disclosure, may utilize a similar mountingconfigurations (having, for example holes and fasteners, such as screwsor bolts) as the factory cover, the replacement motor cover 13 of thekit being overall smaller than a factory provided one.

Belt 40, which may be provided as part of a kit as herein disclosed, canbe a larger belt than the belt typically provided by the factory on anelectric motorized skateboard. Factory provided belts are typicallyabout 225 millimeters (mm) in length and about 15 mm in width, having 75teeth, such as those designated as 225-3M-15. The majority of beltdriven skateboards use Gates Inc. 3M and 5M HTD (High Torque Drive)timing belt profiles. Commonly utilized belts include 225-3M-15 for80-85 mm wheels on stock/factory boosted boards. Larger diameter wheelsand their large diameter wheel mounts (wheel pulleys) requirelarger/longer belts. As non-limiting examples, 243-3M-15 belts can bematched to 68 toothed wheel mounts/wheel pulleys with 97 mm wheels;258-3M-15 belts can be match for use with wheel mounts/wheel pulleyshaving 75 teeth and 107 mm wheels. Belt 40 can be provided along withskateboard wheel mount 10 in a kit having a size of similar to ordifferent from, a factory provided belt.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the skateboard assembly of FIG. 1, shownin an assembled condition having motor cover 13 shown in ghost lines sothat belt 40 can be seen engaging a belt engagement portion 26 ofskateboard wheel mount 10 as well as motor pulley 60. In this exemplaryview, a wheel 9 is illustrated having a wheel core 25 b that featurescircular apertures. It is noted that wheel 9 having an exemplary wheelcore 25 b is shown in FIG. 2 for illustrative purposes and that anywheel 9 having a wheel core compatible with skateboard wheel mount 10 asherein described may be so mounted, including wheel 9 having anexemplary wheel core 25 a.

FIG. 3A shows a cross-sectional view of a skateboard wheel having awheel core 25 b that features circular apertures as engaged to anexemplary skateboard wheel mount 10, taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2.Centrally shown is a cross-section of axle 8 and bearing 11. Also shownin cross section, exemplary wheel 9 has a wheel core 25 b that hasseveral apertures (only one aperture 43 being labeled here for claritypurposes). In this example, there are provided ten apertures circularlyand evenly spaced apart, each aperture 43 having a circular contour.While in this example wheel core 25 b has ten apertures 43, wheel core25 b may have more or less apertures. Additionally, a first plurality oflugs 16 and a second plurality of lugs 18 that project from a base 20are shown in cross-section here. The plurality of first lugs 16 have afirst shape and the plurality of second lugs 18 have a second shape thatis different than the first shape. In this example, the lugs engageeight of the ten apertures of wheel core 25 b, or 80% of the aperturesof the wheel core.

Moving on to FIG. 3B, a cross-sectional view of a skateboard wheelhaving a wheel core 25 a that features non-circular apertures as engagedto an exemplary skateboard wheel mount 10, this cross-sectional view issimilar to the one taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2 for wheel 9 having awheel core 25 b. Such non-circular apertures may be of any usefulcontour, exemplary ones being seen in wheel 9 having wheel core 25 a ofFIG. 1, which is herein shown in cross-section in FIG. 3B, mounted to anexemplary skateboard wheel mount 10. As in FIG. 3A, axle 8 and bearing11 are shown centrally located. Exemplary wheel core 25 a is providedwith non-circular aperture 44, six shown here. Non-circular aperture 44can have a shape/contour resembling an annular sector and be repeatedcircularly, as shown, to provide a plurality of non-circular apertures44. Accordingly, and in this example, non-circular aperture 44 can havean aperture side wall 50, aperture outer wall 46 having an arc lengthand aperture inner wall 48 disposed on either side of rib 51.Non-circular aperture 44 of wheel core 25 a can also have a rib 51having rib side walls 51 a and 51 b, as well as rib top wall 56. Thesame exemplary plurality of first lugs 16 having a first shape andexemplary plurality of second lugs 18 having a second shape differentfrom the first shape shown in FIG. 3A are here shown how their novelsurfaces and shapes engage with the inner contour/surfaces ofnon-circular apertures 44 to enable mounting and engagement with a wheel9 having a wheel core 25 a having non-circular apertures that aredifferent than the apertures of wheel 9 in FIG. 3A having circularapertures. This novel interchangeability feature of the personal vehiclewheel mount of the instant disclosure is discussed further below.

The novel personal vehicle wheel mount 10 of the instant disclosureprovides for interchangeability between wheels having different wheelcore configurations. This feature arises because of the novelconfiguration, shape and arrangement of lugs of the personal vehiclewheel mount 10. Referring now to FIGS. 4 & 5, which show two differentperspective views of the exemplary personal vehicle wheel mount 10 shownin FIG. 1, the personal vehicle wheel mount 10 shown can be utilized asa skateboard wheel mount. A base 20 is provided, from which a pluralityof first lugs 16 projecting from the base and having a first shape and aplurality of second lugs 18 projecting from the base and having a secondshape different from the first shape are provided. The first shape has afirst arcuate surface 24 having a first arc length, and the second shapehas a second arcuate surface 32 having a second arc length. Inparticular configurations the first arc length is longer than the secondarc length. A bearing seat 1, is shown in FIG. 5 and provided forreceiving at least one bearing 11. The lugs shown can project any usefuldistance from the base, and have a length of anywhere from 5 mm to 20mm, for example, and preferably from about 8 mm to about 15 mm, morepreferably from about 9 mm to about 12 mm or about 10 mm. First lugs 16and second lugs 18 are typically provided projecting substantiallyoutwardly and perpendicular to annular region 62 of base 20. Particularplanar surfaces of lugs come together to define an angle of about 90degrees, preferably 90 degrees.

The plurality of first lugs and plurality of second lugs are arranged toenable interchangeable mounting of a first wheel having a first wheelcore, and a second wheel having a second wheel core different from thefirst wheel core. As shown in FIG. 4, a belt engagement portion 26 canbe provided having a belt engagement surface 27. As shown here, beltengagement surface 27 can be a toothed surface having teeth 28. Beltengagement surface 27 can be provided having a tooth count of from about50 teeth to about 200 teeth, from about 50 teeth to about 100 teeth,from about 50 teeth to about 80 teeth, from about 50 teeth to about 75teeth, about 56 teeth, about 63 teeth, about 68 teeth, about 70 teeth,about 75 teeth, 56 teeth, 63 teeth, 68 teeth, 70 teeth or about 75teeth. Most personal vehicle wheel mounts, such as electric skateboardwheel pulleys, utilize Gates High Torque tooth profiles having a 3M or5M profile. Gates High torque profiles are preferred, although otherprofiles may be utilized. Electric motorized skateboards provided byBoosted (formerly Boosted Boards) of Mountain View, California, utilizea 3M profile while other manufacturers use a 5M profile. The 3M and 5Mdesignations refer to 3 mm and 5 mm tooth pitches, i.e., to thecenter-to-center distance between the center of one tooth of the beltengagement surface 27 to the center of the adjacent tooth. In addition,base 20 has an axle aperture 6 that passes through and is sized toreceive axle 8. Furthermore, and in this embodiment, a first lug group52 and a second lug group 53 are provided. Generally, first lug group 52and second lug group 53 are disposed along annular region 62 of base 20.The first lug group 52 includes at least one lug 16 of the plurality offirst lugs and at least one lug 18 of the plurality of second lugs, andsecond lug group 53 includes least one lug 16 of the plurality of firstlugs and at least one lug 18 of the plurality of second lugs. The arclength of the circularly disposed lugs of a lug group (here, the curveddistance from first lug 16 to second lug 16 of a lug group) is about 40mm. Particular planar surfaces of lugs come together to define an angleof about 90 degrees, preferably 90 degrees. For example, exemplary lug16 has first and second planar surfaces defining an angle which may beabout 90 degrees, such as, e.g., about 80 degrees to about 100 degrees,whereas exemplary lug 18 has first and second planar surfaces defininganother angle, which may be about 270 degrees, such as, e.g., about 260degrees to about 280 degrees. Lugs can have a third planar surfacedefining another angle, as can be seen in FIG. 6. In particularembodiments, lugs 16 and 18 can have two planar surfaces that cometogether to define a reflex angle, that is, an angle of greater than 180degrees and less than 360 degrees. As utilized here, all angles aretaken to be measured outside of the shape of the lugs, that is, measuredfrom the outer surface of one planar side, outside the lug and to thesurface of another adjacent planar outer sides, not passing through thelug, i.e. are not internal angles. In particular embodiments, lug 16 andlug 18 can have at least two planar surfaces. In particular embodiments,any number of lug 16 and/or any number of lug 18 and any combinationthereof, can have at least three planar surfaces. In a particularembodiment, every lug 16 and every lug 18 provided has three planarsurfaces.

Referring again to FIGS. 4, 5 and now FIG. 6, which is a left view ofthe wheel mount shown in FIG. 1, the lugs of plurality of first lugs 16projecting from the base can have a first shape that includes two planarsurfaces 22 and a first arcuate surface 24. Base 20 has an axle aperture6 and the first lug group 52 and the second lug group 53 are disposedadjacent the axle aperture 6. In the particular embodiment shown inFIGS. 4, 5 & 6, the first lug group 52 and the second lug group 52 aremirroredly disposed about the axle aperture 6. In one embodiment, firstlug group 52 includes at least two of first lug 16 and at least two ofsecond lug 18. As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 4, 5 & 6, two ofsecond lugs 18 are disposed between two of first lugs 16.

Referring to FIG. 6, an exemplary arrangement of differently shaped lugsthat may be utilized with different wheels having different wheels coresis illustrated. The dashed lines are provided for reference and aresubstantially about 36 degrees apart. Accordingly, a plurality of firstlugs 16 and a plurality of second lugs 18 are shown, provided as a firstlug group 52 and second lug group 53, as described in FIG. 4. Aspreviously described, first lugs 16 have a first shape and are providein accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure to have afirst shape planar surface 22 and a first arcuate surface 24 having afirst arc length, whereas second lugs 18 are disclosed to have a secondshape that different for the first shape and have at least one secondshape planar surface 18 and second arcuate surface 32. In particularembodiments and as shown here, second arcuate surface 32 has an archlength that is different that the first arc length of the first arcuatesurface 24. As shown in FIG. 6, first lug group 52 (lugs shown on theleft) and second lug group 53 (lugs shown on the right) are spaced apartfrom each other at angle θ′, here at about 72 degrees along the annularregion. Furthermore lugs, within second lug group 53 are spaced apartfrom each other at angle θ″, here at about 36 degrees along the annularregion 62. Similarly, lugs of first lug group 52 are spaced apart fromeach other at angle θ″, here at about 36 degrees along the annularregion 62.

FIG. 7 is a right view of the wheel mount shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 8 is arear view of the wheel mount shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 9 is a front view ofthe wheel mount shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 10 is a top view of the wheelmount shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the wheel mountshown in FIG. 1.

In one aspect, the instant disclosure provides a method for utilizingthe exemplary personal vehicle wheel mount 10 as disclosed herein, on amotorized skateboard. Such method steps are typically executed whenutilizing parts in a conversion kit, as herein described, to replace thefactory provided wheel pulley, belt and, optionally, wheels, with thepersonal vehicle wheel mount 10 of the instant disclosure. As mentionedpreviously, when having a belt engagement portion 26 that is toothed andutilized with a drive belt, personal vehicle wheel mount 10 can also bereferred to as a skateboard wheel mount/wheel pulley. Method steps formounting an exemplary personal vehicle wheel mount 10 as disclosedherein, and provided as part of a kit for example, includes thefollowing steps. Firstly, and on the motorized skateboard, the factorywheel and wheel pulley are removed from the skateboard. This is achievedby first, removing wheel nut 4, and once removed, the wheel is rotatedwhile putting gentle pressure to pull the wheel out, such that the beltdoes not bind. In one example, on motorized skateboards from Boostedboards, on Generation II (VII and VII+), a wheel spacer 19 is found.Wheel spacer 19, can be removed and not utilized further, if utilizing asecond wheel bearing 11 that can be part of the kit. A bearing spacer 17(washer) can also be removed and utilized in a later step. Next, thefactory motor cover is removed utilizing, for example, a 3 mm hex key toremove fasteners (such as bolts) if so utilized to secure the motorcover, and then the belt and motor cover are removed. Next, loosen upmotor bolts just enough to have the motor slide so as to be able to fitbelt 40, which can be larger than a factory provided belt. Next, toinstall a new wheel (typically larger) and exemplary personal vehiclewheel mount 10 combo (wheel mounted onto lugs 16 and 18 of the personalvehicle wheel mount 10) as disclosed herein. Bearing spacer 17 (washer)is returned followed by bearing 11 (one or more). Kit belt 40, such as a258-3M-15 belt which is for an exemplary personal vehicle wheel mount 10having 75 teeth, is then looped over motor pulley 60 and axle. Wheel andpersonal vehicle wheel mount 10 assembly are then aligned and mountedonto the axle 8, looping belt 40 onto belt engagement portion 26 andkeeping belt also looped onto motor pulley 60 while slowly turning thewheel and personal vehicle wheel mount 10 assembly to align teeth andgrooves of motor pulley 60 and belt engagement portion 26 with innerbelt surface 42 (also toothed). Next, motor bolts are to be tightened tosecure motor at a position that provides for proper belt tension. Thisis achieved by now, replacing axle nut 4 onto the axle and tighteningthe wheel and personal vehicle wheel mount 10 assembly to the axle justfinger tight (not tightening all the way, since motor position is stillto be adjusted and secured). The loose motor is now pushed forward andtoward the front of the board to achieve proper belt tension, afterwhich the motor bolts are tightened to secure motor and maintain desiredbelt tension such that belt 40 flexes slightly under finger as known tothose of ordinary skill in the art. Spin the newly mounted wheel a fewtimes to ensure that there is no belt binding. Next, tighten fully axlenut 4 and then back off ⅛^(th) to 1/16^(th) of a turn. Lastly, mount kitprovided motor cover 13 (such as a smaller than factory motor cover thatcomes with a 75 toothed personal vehicle wheel mount 10 of the instantdisclosure).

Turning now to FIG. 12, an exploded view of a rear portion of anothertype of motorized skateboard assembly is provided, including twoalternative skateboard wheel types, and another exemplary embodiment ofa skateboard wheel mount 110 provided in accordance with the teachingsof the present disclosure. Here skateboard wheel mount 110 is for usewith wheels having differently configured wheel cores and with directdrive motors. A bearing 111 (or multiple bearings), spacer 119, shoulder115, motorized skateboard 114, wheel mount spacer 117 and axle 108 areshown.

Exemplary direct drive motors 112 a and 112 b do not utilize a belt suchas belt 40 shown in FIG. 1, but rather use a skateboard wheel mount 110in direct engagement to the motor via direct drive engagement portions150 of the skateboard wheel mount 110. Prior art wheel mounts for usewith direct drive motor configurations are also known as wheel coreadapters in the skateboarding art. Direct drive motors 112 a areprovided with motor engagement portions 160 with which direct driveengagement portions 150 engage, here exemplarily shown as tabsprotruding from the base of a skateboard wheel mount 110 opposite theside having the inventive first and second plurality of lugs accordingto the teachings of the present disclosure.

Notably, lugs as previously described in the embodiments shown anddiscussed in FIGS. 4, 5 & 6, for example, can also be utilized on wheelmounts such as skateboard wheel mount 110 that lack a belt engagementportion and are utilized mounted directly to the motor 112. Examples ofdirect drive motors, as well as prior art wheel core adapters arecommercially available at, e.g., DIY Electric Skateboard, San Francisco,Calif. By utilizing a skateboard wheel mount 110 having lugs inaccordance with the teachings of the instant disclosure, users are nowable mount wheels having different wheel core configurations (forexample, the circular apertures of the wheel cores of “Kegel” wheels aswell as the non-circular, annular sector contoured apertures of “ABEC”wheels) onto a single skateboard wheel mount 110 for use with directdrive motors. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the skateboard assemblyof FIG. 12, shown in an assembled condition.

FIG. 14 is a close-up perspective view of the exemplary wheel mount 110shown in FIG. 12, provided in accordance with the teachings of thepresent disclosure.

Is noted that in one aspect, the wheel lug shapes, numbers andarrangements taught herein provide for a wheel mount having lugs ofdifferent shapes that are capable of engaging all apertures of a wheelcore having a first number of apertures of a first shape. The same wheelmount is also capable of being mounted to another wheel having adifferently configured wheel core and engaging less than all aperturesof the different wheel core having a second particular number ofapertures of a similar or second shape.

Further, as one example, the teachings herein provide a personal vehiclewheel mount having a configuration whereby a first plurality of lugshaving a first shape and a second plurality of lugs having a secondshape differentially engage a plurality of apertures of a single wheelcore. As one example, in a wheel core having a plurality of apertures,particular apertures are engaged by a single lug and other apertures(which may be adjacent) are engaged by a plurality of lugs. FIG. 3Bshows one such example. As another example, in a wheel core such as thatshown in FIG. 3A, similarly shaped apertures are singly engaged by asingle lug of the personal vehicle wheel mount, however and as shown,differently shaped lugs engage the wheel core apertures distinctively,that is, via particular surface geometries of the particular lugsprovided in accordance with the present teachings.

The inventive wheel mounts disclosed herein may be made of any suitablyresilient material such a metal, a polymer, a ceramic and a composite.Non-limiting examples include, but are not limited to, ferrous metals,carbon steel, tool steel (for example, having a carbon content between0.5% and 1.5% and alloying elements that form carbides such as tungsten,chromium, vanadium and molybdenum), stainless steel, 6061 aluminum (aprecipitation-hardened aluminum alloy, containing magnesium and siliconas its major alloying elements), DELRIN® (a thermoplastic acetal resin)and fiber reinforced nylon (such as reinforced with KEVLAR®, carbonfiber and fiberglass or any combination thereof, for example). Likewise,any suitable manufacturing method may be utilized to provide theinventive wheel mount in accordance with the instant disclosure. Forexample, novel personal vehicle wheel mounts of the instant disclosurecan be made utilizing machining methods, casting methods, 3-D printingmethods, milling or any combination of thereof.

In an exemplary manufacturing method, a billet of a metal or alloy, suchas, and not limited to, aluminum 6061 or 7075, carbon steel, tool steel;copper, tin and zinc alloys such as brass and bronze; titanium alloysand nickel alloys, is provided and milled utilizing a CNC millingmachine. In a first step is a machining step on a lathe utilizing “livetooling” endmills ranging from 0.25 inch in diameter to 0.0625 inch indiameter are used to make the personal vehicle wheel mount in accordancewith the instant disclosure. The personal vehicle wheel mount, such as10 and 110, can also be made utilizing 3, 4 and 5 axis CNC millingmachines with appropriate standard tooling to achieve the desired shape,size and configurations in accordance with the teachings providedherein.

In closing, it is to be understood that although aspects of the presentspecification are highlighted by referring to specific embodiments, oneskilled in the art will readily appreciate that these disclosedembodiments are only illustrative of the principles of the subjectmatter disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be understood that thedisclosed subject matter is in no way limited to a particular, article,apparatus, methodology, or materials or methods described herein, unlessexpressly stated as such. In addition, those of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that certain changes, modifications, permutations,alterations, additions, subtractions and sub-combinations thereof can bemade in accordance with the teachings herein disclosed without departingfrom the spirit of the present specification. It is therefore intendedthat the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced areinterpreted to include all such changes, modifications, permutations,alterations, additions, subtractions and sub-combinations as are withintheir true spirit and scope.

Certain embodiments of the present invention are described herein. Ofcourse, variations on these described embodiments will become apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoingdisclosures and teachings. The inventor expects skilled artisans toemploy such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for thepresent invention to be practiced otherwise than specifically describedherein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications andequivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended heretoas permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of theabove-described embodiments in all possible variations thereof isencompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Groupings of alternative embodiments, elements, or steps of the presentinvention are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member maybe referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with othergroup members disclosed herein. It is anticipated that one or moremembers of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group forreasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion ordeletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group asmodified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groupsused in the appended claims.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing a characteristic,item, quantity, parameter, property, term, and so forth used in thepresent specification and claims are to be understood as being modifiedin all instances by the term “about.” As used herein, the term “about”means that the characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, orterm so qualified encompasses a range of plus or minus ten percent aboveand below the value of the stated characteristic, item, quantity,parameter, property, or term. Accordingly, unless indicated to thecontrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification andattached claims are approximations that may vary. At the very least, andnot as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine ofequivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical indication shouldat least be construed in light of the number of reported significantdigits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

Use of the terms “may” or “can” in reference to an embodiment or aspectof an embodiment also carries with it the alternative meaning of “maynot” or “cannot.” As such, if the present specification discloses thatan embodiment or an aspect of an embodiment may be or can be included aspart of the inventive subject matter, then the negative limitation orexclusionary proviso is also explicitly meant, meaning that anembodiment or an aspect of an embodiment may not be or cannot beincluded as part of the inventive subject matter. In a similar manner,use of the term “optionally” in reference to an embodiment or aspect ofan embodiment means that such embodiment or aspect of the embodiment maybe included as part of the inventive subject matter or may not beincluded as part of the inventive subject matter. Whether such anegative limitation or exclusionary proviso applies will be based onwhether the negative limitation or exclusionary proviso is recited inthe claimed subject matter.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and values setting forth thebroad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical rangesand values set forth in the specific examples are reported as preciselyas possible. Any numerical range or value, however, inherently containscertain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation foundin their respective testing measurements. Recitation of numerical rangesof values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method ofreferring individually to each separate numerical value falling withinthe range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value of anumerical range is incorporated into the present specification as if itwere individually recited herein.

The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar references used in the context ofdescribing the present invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. Further, ordinal indicators—such as “first,” “second,” “third,”etc.—for identified elements are used to distinguish between theelements, and do not indicate or imply a required or limited number ofsuch elements, and do not indicate a particular position or order ofsuch elements unless otherwise specifically stated. All methodsdescribed herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwiseindicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The useof any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the presentinvention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the inventionotherwise claimed. No language in the present specification should beconstrued as indicating any non-claimed element essential to thepractice of the invention.

When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, theopen-ended transitional term “comprising” (and equivalent open-endedtransitional phrases thereof like including, containing and having)encompasses all the expressly recited elements, limitations, stepsand/or features alone or in combination with unrecited subject matter;the named elements, limitations and/or features are essential, but otherunnamed elements, limitations and/or features may be added and stillform a construct within the scope of the claim. Specific embodimentsdisclosed herein may be further limited in the claims using theclosed-ended transitional phrases “consisting of” or “consistingessentially of” in lieu of or as an amended for “comprising.” When usedin the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, the closed-endedtransitional phrase “consisting of” excludes any element, limitation,step, or feature not expressly recited in the claims. The closed-endedtransitional phrase “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of aclaim to the expressly recited elements, limitations, steps and/orfeatures and any other elements, limitations, steps and/or features thatdo not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of theclaimed subject matter. Thus, the meaning of the open-ended transitionalphrase “comprising” is being defined as encompassing all thespecifically recited elements, limitations, steps and/or features aswell as any optional, additional unspecified ones. The meaning of theclosed-ended transitional phrase “consisting of” is being defined asonly including those elements, limitations, steps and/or featuresspecifically recited in the claim whereas the meaning of theclosed-ended transitional phrase “consisting essentially of” is beingdefined as only including those elements, limitations, steps and/orfeatures specifically recited in the claim and those elements,limitations, steps and/or features that do not materially affect thebasic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter.Therefore, the open-ended transitional phrase “comprising” (andequivalent open-ended transitional phrases thereof) includes within itsmeaning, as a limiting case, claimed subject matter specified by theclosed-ended transitional phrases “consisting of” or “consistingessentially of.” As such embodiments described herein or so claimed withthe phrase “comprising” are expressly or inherently unambiguouslydescribed, enabled and supported herein for the phrases “consistingessentially of” and “consisting of.”

All patents, patent publications, and other publications referenced andidentified in the present specification are individually and expresslyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety for the purpose ofdescribing and disclosing, for example, the compositions andmethodologies described in such publications that might be used inconnection with the present disclosure.

Lastly, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describingparticular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope ofthe present invention, which is defined solely by the claims.Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to that precisely asshown and described.

1. A wheel mount, comprising: a base, the base comprising a first sideand an opposite second side, the first side having either a beltengagement surface or a plurality of direct drive engagement portions,the first side further defining a bearing seat; a plurality of firstlugs projecting from the second side of the base, each lug of theplurality of first lugs having a first shape, the first shape having afirst arcuate surface with a first arc length; and a plurality of secondlugs projecting from the second side of the base, each lug of theplurality of second lugs having a second shape, the second shape havinga second arcuate surface with a second arc length, wherein the firstshape of each lug of the plurality of first lugs is different from thesecond shape of each lug of the plurality of second lugs; and theplurality of first lugs and plurality of second lugs are arranged toenable interchangeable mounting of a first wheel having a first wheelcore, and a second wheel having a second wheel core different from thefirst wheel core.
 2. The wheel mount according to claim 1, wherein thefirst shape of each lug of the plurality of first lugs further comprisestwo planar surfaces.
 3. The wheel mount according to claim 2, whereinthe second shape of each lug of the plurality of second lugs furthercomprises two planar surfaces and the first arc length is different fromthe second arc length.
 4. The wheel mount according to claim 1, whereinthe second shape of each lug of the plurality of second lugs furthercomprises two planar surfaces.
 5. The wheel mount according to claim 1,wherein the first shape of each lug of the plurality of first lugsfurther comprises two planar surfaces, and the second shape of each lugof the plurality of second lugs further comprises two planar surfaces,wherein the first arc length is different from the second arc length. 6.The wheel mount according to claim 1, wherein the first arc length islonger than the second arc length.
 7. The wheel mount according to claim1, further comprising a first lug group including at least one lug ofthe plurality of first lugs and at least one lug of the plurality ofsecond lugs, and a second lug group including least one lug of theplurality of first lugs and at least one lug of the plurality of secondlugs.
 8. The wheel mount according to claim 7, further comprising anaxle aperture through the base and the first lug group and the secondlug group are disposed adjacent the axle aperture.
 9. The wheel mountaccording to claim 8, wherein the first lug group and the second luggroup are mirroredly disposed about the axle aperture.
 10. The wheelmount according to claim 7, wherein the first lug group includes two ofthe first lugs and two of the second lugs.
 11. The wheel mount accordingto claim 10, wherein the two of the first lugs are disposed between thetwo of the second lugs.
 12. The wheel mount according to claim 7,wherein the first lug group and the second lug group are mirroredlydisposed along an annular region of the base.
 13. The wheel mountaccording to claim 12, wherein the first lug group and the second luggroup are spaced apart from each other by about 72 degrees along theannular region.
 14. The wheel mount according to claim 12, wherein thelugs within the first lug group are spaced apart from one another byabout 36 degrees along the annular region.
 15. The wheel mount accordingto claim 14, wherein the lugs within the second group are spaced apartfrom one another by about 36 degrees along the annular region.
 16. Thewheel mount according to claim 1, wherein the belt engagement surface isa toothed surface.
 17. The wheel mount according to claim 16, whereinthe toothed surface has 56 teeth, 63 teeth, 68 teeth, 70 teeth or 75teeth.
 18. The wheel mount according to claim 1, wherein the first wheelcore comprises one or more circular apertures or one or morenon-circular apertures.
 19. The wheel mount according to claim 1,wherein the first wheel is a ABEC wheel and the second wheel is a Kegelwheel.
 20. A wheel mount conversion kit comprising: a. a wheel mount,comprising: a base, the base comprising a first side and an oppositesecond side, the first side having a belt engagement surface, the firstside further defining a bearing seat; a plurality of first lugsprojecting from the second side of the base, each lug of the pluralityof first lugs having a first shape, the first shape having a firstarcuate surface with a first arc length; and a plurality of second lugsprojecting from the second side of the base, each lug of the pluralityof second lugs having a second shape, the second shape having a secondarcuate surface with a second arc length, wherein the first shape ofeach lug of the plurality of first lugs is different from the secondshape of each lug of the plurality of second lugs; and the plurality offirst lugs and plurality of second lugs are arranged to enableinterchangeable mounting of a first wheel having a first wheel core, anda second wheel having a second wheel core different from the first wheelcore; and b. a belt for engagement with the belt engagement surface. 21.The wheel mount conversion kit of claim 20 further including at leastone of a wheel bearing, a motor cover and motor pulley.
 22. A wheelmount conversion kit comprising: a. a wheel mount, comprising: a base,the base comprising a first side and an opposite second side, the firstside having a plurality of direct drive engagement portions, the firstside further defining a bearing seat; a plurality of first lugsprojecting from the second side of the base, each lug of the pluralityof first lugs having a first shape; and a plurality of second lugsprojecting from the second side of the base, each lug of the pluralityof second lugs having a second shape, wherein the first shape of eachlug of the plurality of first lugs is different from the second shape ofeach lug of the plurality of second lugs; and the plurality of firstlugs and plurality of second lugs are arranged to enable interchangeablemounting of a first wheel having a first wheel core, and a second wheelhaving a second wheel core different from the first wheel core; and b.at least one of a wheel bearing, a motor cover, and motor pulley.